Height is not might: Study shows taller people are more prone to COVID-19 | Lifestyle.INQ

OCTOBER 27, 2022

A collaborative study by global researchers and experts from University of Manchester and Open University showed that people, especially men, who stand over six feet have higher chances of testing positive for COVID-19.

A total of 2,000 people from the United Kingdom participated in the survey to determine whether or not personal attributes, work and living practices affect viral transmission.

According to the results, taller men are twice as likely to be vulnerable. While not enough women were surveyed to derive a reliable conclusion, the study still suggested they have higher odds than most people below six feet tall.

Just to be clear, this doesn’t have anything to do with genetics. 

Professor Evan Kontopantelis of the University of Manchester said height wouldn’t really be a factor if the virus can solely be spread through droplet inhalation. But since there’s enough evidence suggesting COVID-19 is airborne, taller people are then more susceptible to the virus.

“The results of this survey in terms of associations between height and diagnosis suggest downward droplet transmission is not the only transmission mechanism and aerosol transmission is possible,” said the professor.

And as much as physical distancing is an effective way to avoid the disease, the study also found that wearing masks when going out is “just as effective—if not more.”

 

Header photo courtesy by Macau Photo Agency on Unsplash

Get more stories like this by subscribing to our weekly newsletter here.

Read more:

Months into the pandemic, WHO finally acknowledges “emerging evidence” that COVID-19 can be airborne

Abaca face masks show 7 times better filtration rate than cloth masks based on a DOST study

You could soon be imprisoned up to a month if you don’t wear your face masks

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

MOST VIEWED STORIES

FROM THE NICHE TITLES